Content distribution server, content distribution system, content distribution method, and program

ABSTRACT

Provided is a content distribution server which is able to establish restrictions on the public disclosure of an object displayed in virtual space at the convenience of the distributor. The content distribution server comprises: a distribution unit that distributes live content for synthesizing video in virtual space using information from the distributor as virtual character information; and a first setting receiving unit that receives from the distributor terminal used by the distributor public disclosure restriction settings for establishing restrictions on objects present in virtual space displayed on the distributor terminal that can be viewed on a viewer terminal used by a viewer to view live content.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a content distribution server, acontent distribution method, and a program.

BACKGROUND ART

There are systems in which users are able to communicate with each otherin virtual space.

For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique that provides avirtual environment for users to communicate with each other. In thisvirtual environment, it is possible to set browsing rights for virtualmessages in the virtual space. In this case, only browsers who havebrowsing rights can browse through the virtual messages. When a browserwithout browsing right attempts to browse through the virtual messages,the virtual messages are hidden or blurred.

In recent years, services that deliver live content via a network havebecome widespread as live broadcasting over the internet. Technologiesbeen proposed for live broadcasting over the internet in which thedistributor appears as a virtual character (avatar) in virtual space invideo that is distributed as live content.

PRIOR ART DOCUMENTS Patent Documents

Patent Document 1: WO 2008/106196 A1

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Problem to be Solved by the Invention

The technology disclosed in Patent Document 1 is premised on all usersinhabiting the virtual space as virtual characters. In this case, allusers share the virtual space from the same viewpoint.

In live Internet broadcasting by contrast, there are not only users whoinhabit the virtual space as virtual characters (primarily distributors)but also users who simply watch the video (primarily viewers). In thiscase, the viewpoint varies by user. Therefore, it is sometimes notpreferable for all users to share the virtual space from the sameviewpoint.

Current live internet broadcasting systems are designed so that adistributor, viewers, and participants who participate in thedistributed content browse the same virtual space. The distributor wearsan HMD (head mounted display) and distributes content while watchingvideo in virtual space. Movements by the distributor in real space arereflected in movements of a virtual character in virtual space using amotion capture technology.

Here, the distributor may want to check a script or a timekeeper whiledistributing content. Because the distributor is wearing an HMD, ascript or timekeeper cannot be checked in real space. Therefore, anobject indicating a script or timekeeper is preferably displayed invirtual space. However, an object indicating a script or timekeeper isnot an object that the distributor wants the viewer to see.

In addition, the distributor may want to check the virtual camera usedto record distributed content or an object indicating the position ofthe virtual camera. However, an object indicating a virtual camera orthe position of a virtual camera is not an object that the distributorwants the viewer to see.

As mentioned above, an object displayed in virtual space for theconvenience of the distributor, such as a script, timekeeper, or virtualcamera (position of the virtual camera) is preferably not disclosed toviewers. However, sometimes the distributor may wish to disclose theseobjects to participants (viewers or other distributors) who participatein the content distributed by the distributor. Therefore, a mechanismfor restricting the disclosure of objects displayed in virtual spacebased on distribution status is required for the convenience of thedistributor.

Because the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1 is used to controlbrowsing rights to virtual messages addressed to others, it is not amechanism that can be used to restrict the disclosure of objectsdisplayed in virtual space at the convenience of the distributor.

In view of these circumstances, it is an object of the presentdisclosure to provide a content distribution server etc. that is able toimpose a public restriction on an object displayed in virtual space atthe convenience of a distributor.

Means for Solving the Problem

In order to achieve this object, a first aspect of the present inventionis a content distribution server comprising: a distribution unit thatdistributes live content for synthesizing video in virtual space withinformation on the distributor as information on a virtual character;and a first setting receiving unit that receives a disclosurerestriction setting from a distributor terminal used by the distributorfor restricting an object present in the virtual space displayed on thedistributor terminal from being displayed on a viewer terminal used by aviewer viewing the live content.

In order to achieve this object, a second aspect of the presentinvention is a content distribution method comprising: a distributionstep of distributing live content for synthesizing video in virtualspace with information on the distributor as information on a virtualcharacter; and a first setting receiving step of receiving a disclosurerestriction setting from a distributor terminal used by the distributorfor restricting an object present in the virtual space displayed on thedistributor terminal from being displayed on a viewer terminal used by aviewer viewing the live content.

In order to achieve this object, a third aspect of the present inventionis a program causing a computer to function as a distribution means fordistributing live content for synthesizing video in virtual space withinformation on the distributor as information on a virtual character;and a first setting receiving means for receiving a disclosurerestriction setting from a distributor terminal used by the distributorfor restricting an object present in the virtual space displayed on thedistributor terminal from being displayed on a viewer terminal used by aviewer viewing the live content.

Effects of the Invention

The present disclosure is able to provide a content distribution serveretc. that is able to impose a public restriction on an object displayedin virtual space at the convenience of a distributor.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of the contentdistribution system in an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the contentdistribution server in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the distributorterminal in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the viewerterminal in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the participantterminal in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of video in virtual spacedisplayed on the distributor terminal in the embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a distribution screendisplayed on the viewer terminal in the embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a first example of video in virtual spacedisplayed on the participant terminal in the embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a second example of video in virtual spacedisplayed on the participant terminal in the embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of control processingperformed by the content distribution server in the embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on theviewer terminal in the modified example.

EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

The following is a description of an embodiment of the presentdisclosure with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that theembodiment described below does not place any unreasonable limits on thecontent of the present disclosure described in the claims. In addition,not all of the components shown in the embodiment are essentialcomponents of the present disclosure.

EMBODIMENT

As shown in FIG. 1, the content distribution system 1 in the presentembodiment includes a content distribution server 100, one or moredistributor terminals 200, one or more viewer terminals 300, andparticipant terminals 400 a and 400 b. The content distribution server100, one or more distributor terminals 200, one or more viewer terminals300, and participant terminals 400 a, 400 b are connected over a networkNW so as to be able to communicate with each other. The network NW canbe a WAN (Wide Area Network).

The content distribution server 100 provides a distribution service viathe network NW. The content distribution server 100 distributes livecontent to the viewer terminals 300 based on video in virtual space thatsynthesizes movements by the distributor as movements by a virtualcharacter.

The video in virtual space includes not only virtual characters but alsoa background setting and objects appearing as virtual objects. Virtualspace is basically three-dimensional space generated by CG (computergraphics). Note, however, that the virtual space may also betwo-dimensional space. Distributors include distributor who manage thedistributed content and distributor who participate in the distributedcontent. Other distributors may include viewers who wish to participate,and distributors of other distributed content.

The distributor terminal 200 is used by a distributor who distributeslive content. The distributor terminal 200 is a communication terminalprovided with an HMD, and has a communication function and a motioncapture function. The distributor terminal 200 acquires movement(gestures) and the line of sight of the distributor as motioninformation with the motion capture function. The motion information isreflected in the movement of the virtual character associated with thedistributor and the viewpoint (that is, rendering) in video withinvirtual space. The motion information may include data indicating thefacial expressions of the distributor.

The viewer terminal 300 is a device having a communication function suchas a personal computer, a tablet terminal, or a smartphone. The viewerterminal 300 is used by a viewer to view live content.

The participant terminals 400 a, 400 b are used by participants who eachparticipate in distributed content from the distributor. Theparticipants may be distributors other than the distributor using thedistributor terminal 200, or may be viewers who view the live content.Unlike the viewer terminal 300, however, the participant terminals 400a, 400 b are configured to allow the participants to participate in thedistributed content as virtual characters.

In the present embodiment, participant terminal 400 a is used by aviewer and participant terminal 400 b is used by another distributor. Adisclosure restriction setting described below is applied to participantterminal 400 a, and the disclosure restriction setting is released forparticipant terminal 400 b by a permission setting described below. Inthe present embodiment, the participants are a viewer and anotherdistributor. However, the number and breakdown of participants are notlimited to those described in the present embodiment.

The participant terminals 400 a, 400 b are communication terminalsprovided with an HMD, and have a communication function and a motioncapture function. The participant terminals 400 a, 400 b acquiremovement (gestures) and the line of sight of the participant as motioninformation with the motion capture function. The motion information isreflected in the movement of the virtual character associated with theparticipant and the viewpoint (that is, rendering) in video withinvirtual space. The motion information may include data indicating thefacial expressions of the participant. In the following explanation,participant terminals 400 a and 400 b are referred to collectively asthe participant terminals 400 when there is no need to distinguishbetween them.

<Configuration of Content Distribution Server>

The configuration of the content distribution server 100 will now bedescribed in detail. As shown in FIG. 2, the content distribution server100 includes a communication unit 110 that communicates with otherdevices, a storage unit 120 that stores various types of data, a clockunit 130 that keeps time, and a control unit 140 for controlling theentire device. These components are connected to each other via a busline BL.

The communication unit 110 is a communication interface including a NIC(Network Interface Card) controller for performing wired communicationor wireless communication. The communication unit 110 communicates witha distributor terminal 200 and a viewer terminal 300 via a network NW.

The storage unit 120 is composed, for example, of RAM (random accessmemory) and ROM (read only memory). The storage unit 120 stores programsand various types of data etc. for executing various types of controlprocessing.

The clock unit 130 can include, for example, an oscillation circuit forgenerating clock signals, a variable PLL (phase locked loop), and acounter circuit for counting the number of clock signal pulses. Theclock unit 130 keeps the time based on the number of pulses counted.

The control unit 140 is composed of a CPU (central processing unit) etc.The control unit 140 controls the entire operation of the contentdistribution server 100 by executing a program stored in the storageunit 120. The control unit 140 executes various controls on timing basedon the number of pulses counted by the clock unit 130. The control unit140 also counts the elapsed time from the start of the live contentbased on the time kept by the clock unit 130, and determines whether ornot a predetermined time (for example, the scheduled distribution time)has elapsed.

The functional configuration of the control unit 140 will now bedescribed. The control unit 140 functions as an information acquiringunit 141, a video generating unit 142, a distribution unit 143, a firstsetting receiving unit 144, and a second setting receiving unit 145.

The information acquiring unit 141 acquires information on the virtualcharacter used by the distributor and motion information indicating themovement and line of sight of the distributor from the distributorterminal 200 via the communication unit 110. The information acquiringunit 141 also acquires information on the virtual character used by theparticipant and motion information indicating the movement and line ofsight of the participant from the participant terminal 400 via thecommunication unit 110. The information acquiring unit 141 acquiresaudio information from the distributor terminal 200 and the participantterminal 400 via the communication unit 110.

The video generating unit 142 generates video in virtual space in whichinformation from the distributor and the participant is synthesized asinformation on their virtual characters. The synthesis can be realized,for example, by generating video in which the virtual characters arepresent against a predetermined virtual space serving as the background,and generating video so that the virtual characters reflect movements bythe distributor or participant using the virtual characters.

The distribution unit 143 distributes live content based on the videogenerated by the video generation unit 142. Live content based on thegenerated video is information indicating video rendered from eachviewpoint relative to the generated video data. Specifically, the livecontent contains information indicating video in which the generatedvideo is viewed from the viewpoint of the virtual character of thedistributor and video (distribution screen) in which the generated videois viewed from the viewpoint of the virtual camera for distribution.

The live content distributed by the distribution unit 143 includes notonly information indicating video but also audio information. Thedistribution unit 143 distributes audio information acquired by theinformation acquiring unit 141 and audio information stored in thestorage unit 120 in advance and used in the production as live content.

The first setting receiving unit 144 receives a disclosure restrictionsetting from the distributor terminal 200 via the communication unit110. When a disclosure restriction setting is received, the distributionunit 143 restricts display on the viewer terminal 300 of an objectpresent in the virtual space displayed on the distributor terminal 200.

The object subject to the disclosure restriction setting at theconvenience of the distributor is an object indicating a virtual objectdisplayed in the virtual space. The object subject to the disclosurerestriction setting can be, for example, an object indicating a script,a timekeeper, a virtual camera, or the position of the virtual camera.

In the present disclosure, script is broadly defined and is not limited,for example, to the composition of the distributed content, thematerials used, or lines displayed in chronological order. Here, scriptmeans material that a distributor refers to during production ofdistributed content and that the distributor does not want to be seen byviewers. Script can refer, for example, to materials used in thedistribution of news articles, bank account registers, books, andphotographs. An object showing a script moves with the distributor (thatis, the virtual character of the distributor), and is displayed at apredetermined position in the field of view of the virtual spacedisplayed on the distributor terminal 200. For example, an objectshowing a script is controlled by the content distribution server 100 soas to follow the virtual character of the distributor but maintain acertain distance. This tracking control may also be executed for anobject indicating a timekeeper.

There are multiple patterns for public restriction settings. Forexample, the first setting receiving unit 144 may receive a switchingsetting for an object indicating whether or not to display the object onthe viewer terminal 300, and receives the switching setting as thedisclosure restriction setting. The first setting receiving unit 144 mayalso receive a display changing setting for the object to display theobject as another object or to display the object in a blurred state onthe viewer terminal 300, and receives the display changing setting asthe disclosure restriction setting.

The first setting receiving unit 144 may also receive a setting forsetting aside an area in the virtual space displayed on the distributorterminal 200 as a private area that is not displayed on a viewerterminal 300, and establishes a public restriction setting for theobject via the private area. A public restriction setting for an objectvia the private area may be established, for example, by the distributormoving the object to the private area in the virtual space using aphysical action. A public restriction setting for an object via theprivate area may also be established, for example, by the distributorexecuting an interface operation to move the object. The interfaceoperation can be, for example, pressing an operation button or making apredetermined gesture. The location of the private area may be fixed ata location in the virtual space determined by the distributor, or mayfollow movement by the virtual character of the distributor under thedirection of the content distribution server 100.

The distribution unit 143 assigns a marker indicating whether or not anobject present in virtual space displayed on the distributor terminal200 is subject to a disclosure restriction setting. Examples of markersinclude a camera mark, a light bulb mark, or a simple figure such as ablack circle or a white circle. The distributor can determine thesetting status by displaying video with these markers on the distributorterminal 200.

The second setting receiving unit 145 receives the permission settingfrom the distributor terminal 200 via the communication unit 110. When apermission setting is received, the distribution unit 143 displays theobject subject to the disclosure restriction setting on a participantterminal 400. The permission setting may be applied to some or all ofthe objects subject to a disclosure restriction setting.

<Configuration of Distributor Terminal>

The configuration of the distributor terminal 200 will now be describedin detail. As shown in FIG. 3, the distributor terminal 200 includes acommunication unit 210 for communicating with other devices, anoperation unit 220 for receiving user operations, a storage unit 230 forstoring various types of data, a display unit 240 for displaying varioustypes of images, an audio input unit 250 for receiving audio input, anoperation input unit 260 for inputting motion information, an audiooutput unit 270 for outputting various types of audio, and a controlunit 280 for controlling the entire device. These components areconnected to each other via a bus line BL.

The communication unit 210 is a communication interface including a NICfor conducting wired communication or wireless communication. Thecommunication unit 210 communicates with the content distribution server100 via the network NW.

The operation unit 220 can include, for example, operation buttons, akeyboard, and a pointing device, and is an interface used by the user toinput instructions.

The storage unit 230 can be, for example, RAM or ROM. The storage unit230 stores programs and inputted data for executing various types ofcontrol processing.

The display unit 240 can be, for example, an LCD (liquid crystaldisplay) or an EL (electroluminescence) display. The display unit 240displays text, images, etc. based on data inputted from the control unit280.

The audio input unit 250 can be, for example, a microphone. The audioinput unit 250 receives audio inputted from the outside to obtain audioinformation.

The operation input unit 260 receives input operations from the user asuser motion information. The operation input unit 260 can be, forexample, a camera or a sensor for acquiring motion information using amotion capture technology. Motion information can be detected by, forexample, a sensor that senses the user's line of sight and movements(gestures). Motion information may also be acquired, for example, bypressing a button to express a facial expression on the virtualcharacter or perform a predetermined act.

The process of converting motion information from the user into movementby or a change in the line of sight of the virtual character may beexecuted by the content distribution server 100, the distributorterminal 200, or the content distribution server 100 and the distributorterminal 200 working together.

The audio output unit 270 can be composed of, for example, a speaker andan amplifier. The audio output unit 270 outputs audio according to datainputted from the control unit 280.

The control unit 280 can be, for example, a CPU. The control unit 280controls the entire operation of the distributor terminal 200 byexecuting a program stored in the storage unit 230.

The functional configuration of the control unit 280 will now bedescribed. The control unit 280 functions as a content acquiring unit281, a display control unit 282, an audio output control unit 283, aninputted information transmitting unit 284, a first setting informationtransmitting unit 285, and a second setting information transmittingunit 286.

The content acquiring unit 281 acquires data indicating live contentfrom the content distribution server 100 via the communication unit 210.The display control unit 282 displays video in virtual space on thedisplay unit 240 based on the data indicating live content acquired bythe content acquiring unit 281. The audio output control unit 283outputs audio from the audio output unit 270 based on the dataindicating live content acquired by the content acquiring unit 281.

The inputted information transmitting unit 284 transmits audioinformation acquired by the audio input unit 250 and motion informationacquired by operation input unit 260 to the content distribution server100. The inputted information transmitting unit 284 may transmit theinformation to the content distribution server 100 after reflecting themotion information in a virtual character.

The first setting information transmitting unit 285 transmitsinformation indicating a disclosure restriction setting received fromthe user to the content distribution server 100 via the communicationunit 210. The second setting information transmitting unit 286 transmitsinformation indicating a permission setting received from the user tothe content distribution server 100 via the communication unit 210.

<Configuration of Viewer Terminal>

The configuration of the viewer terminal 300 will now be described indetail. As shown in FIG. 4, the viewer terminal 300 includes acommunication unit 310 for communicating with other devices, anoperation unit 320 for receiving user input operations, a storage unit330 for storing various types of data, a display unit 340 for displayingvarious types of images, an audio output unit 350 for outputting audio,and a control unit 360 for controlling the entire device. Thesecomponents are connected to each other via a bus line BL.

The communication unit 310 is a communication interface including a NICfor conducting wired communication or wireless communication. Thecommunication unit 310 communicates with the content distribution server100 via the network NW.

The operation unit 320 can include, for example, operation buttons, akeyboard, and a pointing device, and is an interface used by the user toinput instructions.

The storage unit 330 can be, for example, RAM or ROM. The storage unit330 stores programs and inputted data for executing various types ofcontrol processing.

The display unit 340 can be, for example, an LCD (liquid crystaldisplay) or an EL (electroluminescence) display. The display unit 340displays text, images, etc. based on data inputted from the control unit360.

The audio output unit 350 can be composed of, for example, a speaker andan amplifier. The audio output unit 350 outputs audio according to datainputted from the control unit 360.

The control unit 360 can be, for example, a CPU. The control unit 360controls the entire operation of the viewer terminal 300 by executing aprogram stored in the storage unit 330.

The functional configuration of the control unit 360 will now bedescribed. The control unit 360 functions as a content acquiring unit361, a display control unit 362, and an audio output control unit 363.

The content acquiring unit 361 acquires data indicating live contentfrom the content distribution server 100 via the communication unit 310.The display control unit 362 displays video in virtual space on thedisplay unit 340 based on the data indicating live content acquired bythe content acquiring unit 361. The audio output control unit 363outputs audio from the audio output unit 350 based on the dataindicating live content acquired by the content acquiring unit 361.

<Configuration of Participant Terminal>

The configuration of the participant terminal 400 will now be describedin detail. As shown in FIG. 5, the participant terminal 400 includes acommunication unit 410 for communicating with other devices, anoperation unit 420 for receiving user input operations, a storage unit430 for storing various types of data, a display unit 440 for displayingvarious types of images, an audio input unit 450 for outputting audio,an operation input unit 460 for inputting motion information, an audiooutput unit 470 for outputting various types of audio, and a controlunit 480 for controlling the entire device. These components areconnected to each other via a bus line BL.

The configuration of a participant terminal 400 is basically the same asthat of a distributor terminal 200. For example, a participant terminal400 has functions for acquiring movement by the participant asinformation necessary for participation of the participant indistributed content, and sending this information to the contentdistribution server 100 to reflect it in the movement of theparticipant's virtual character.

However, a participant terminal 400 differs from a distributor terminal200 in that it does not have a function for receiving disclosurerestriction settings and permission settings. The control unit 480 inthe participant terminal 400 functions as a content acquiring unit 481,a display control unit 482, an audio output control unit 483, and aninputted information transmitting unit 484. These functions are the sameas those of the content acquiring unit 281, display control unit 282,audio output control unit 283, and inputted information transmittingunit 284 in the control unit 280 of a distributor terminal 200.

<Specific Example of Video and Distribution Screens>

Specific examples of video and distribution screens displayed based oninformation indicating that live content is being streamed will now bedescribed.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of video in virtual spacedisplayed on the distributor terminal 200. The video of the virtualspace displayed on the distributor terminal 200 includes an area A1 thatis not a private area and an area A2 that is designated as a privatearea. The private area is an area set based on a public restrictionsetting, and this area A2 is not displayed on viewer terminals 300.

As shown in the drawing, an object 10 indicating a script, an object 20indicating a timekeeper, and an object 40 indicating a virtual cameraare displayed in the video from the distributor's point of view. Theseobjects 10, 20, 30, 40 are displayed for the convenience of thedistributor. An object 30 indicating a table is also displayed in thevideo.

Instead of an object 40 indicating a virtual camera, an objectindicating, for example, the position, shooting angle, or shooting rangeof the virtual camera may be displayed. The object 40 indicating thevirtual camera may indicate, for example, the shooting position,shooting angle, shooting range, or viewpoint when viewers are viewingthe video. When this object 40 is displayed, the distributor candistribute content while being aware of how viewers are viewing it.

A small marker (black circle) is added to the upper left of the object30 indicating the table. In this way, the distributor knows that theobject 30 indicating the table is being displayed on the distributionscreen viewed by the viewers.

A small marker (black circle) is also added to the object 40 indicatingthe virtual camera. However, because the object 40 indicating thevirtual camera is arranged in the private area, it is not displayed onthe distribution screen viewed by viewers. Because a small marker (blackcircle) has not been added to the object 10 indicating the script andthe object 20 indicating the timekeeper, they are not displayed on thedistribution screen viewed by viewers.

The distributor can switch the settings indicating whether or not theobject 10 indicating the script, the object 20 indicating thetimekeeper, and the object 40 indicating the virtual camera are publiclydisclosed. Publicly disclosed objects can also be moved into the area A2serving as the private area.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a distribution screendisplayed on the viewer terminal 300. In area A3, an image rendered fromthe viewpoint of the object 40 indicating the virtual camera isdisplayed as a moving image in the video of the virtual space. A fieldfor comments posted by viewers is displayed in area A4, and a postbutton B1 is displayed to the right of the comment field.

The virtual character 50 indicating the distributor and the object 30indicating the table, which are subject to a public disclosurerestriction setting, appear on the distribution screen. The area A2 setas a private area does not appear on the distribution screen. Thevirtual character 50 indicating the distributor, which does not appearin the video from the distributor's perspective in FIG. 6, appears inthe distribution screen. This is because the viewpoints from thedistributor terminal 200 and the viewer terminal 300 are different.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of video in virtual spacedisplayed on the participant terminal 400 a used by a viewer. In thisexample, the participant terminal 400 a is subject to a disclosurerestriction set by the distributor.

In this case, the participant terminal 400 a does not display area A2set as a private area in FIG. 6. Object 40 indicating the virtual cameralocated in area A2 set as a private area is also not displayed. Object10 indicating a script and object 20 indicating a timekeeper are alsonot displayed because a disclosure restriction has been set. Because thevideo shown in FIG. 8 is rendered from the participant's own viewpoint,the viewpoint is different from those in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of video in virtual spacedisplayed on the participant terminal 400 b used by another distributor.In this example, the distributor has applied a permission setting to theparticipant terminal 400 b so the disclosure restriction settings arereleased.

In this case, the participant terminal 400 b displays area A7corresponding to area A2 set as a private area in FIG. 6. “Area A7corresponding to area A2” means area A2 viewed from the viewpoint of thedistributor and area A7 viewed from the viewpoint of the participantdiffer in terms of perspective. Area A7 also displays an object 40indicating a virtual camera located in area A2 set as a private area.

Object 10 showing the script and object 20 showing the timekeeper arenot shown in FIG. 9. However, they may also be displayed on theparticipant terminal 400 b. The distributor can use the distributorterminal 200 to set a disclosure restriction setting for each object.

<Processing Flow>

An example of control processing executed by the content distributionserver 100 will now be described with reference to FIG. 10. Thisprocessing is executed when a distributor terminal 200 logs in to thecontent distribution server 100 and starts preparing for thedistribution of live content.

First, the control unit 140 displays pre-distribution video on thedistributor terminal 200 (step S101). The control unit 140 transmits thepre-distribution video and, for example, initial settings information tothe distributor terminal 200 via the communication unit 110. When theparticipant participates with the distributor from the start, thecontrol unit 140 also displays the pre-distribution video on theparticipant terminal 400.

The pre-distribution video can be, for example, video in virtual spaceincluding a background and various types of objects, and is video invirtual space set by the distributor for distribution. In thepre-distribution video, the virtual character may not be displayed ormay be displayed in a state that is not linked to information on thedistributor. In the pre-distribution video, virtual characters andobjects stored in the storage unit 120 may be displayed so that thedistributor can select the ones to be used in the distributed content.

Next, the information acquiring unit 141 in the control unit 140acquires various types of information from the distributor terminal 200via the communication unit 110 (step S102). The various types ofinformation can be, for example, virtual character information andmotion information used by the distributor. The information acquiringunit 141 in the control unit 140 also acquires various types ofinformation from the participant terminal 400 via the communication unit110 when the participant is participating in the distributed content.

The distribution unit 143 in the control unit 140 displays synthesizedvideo on the distributor terminal 200 (step S103). Specifically, thevideo generating unit 142 in the control unit 140 generates video invirtual space in which the distributor information is synthesized asvirtual character information. The distribution unit 143 in the controlunit 140 transmits information indicating synthesized video in virtualspace to the distributor terminal 200 via the communication unit 110.

When the participant participates in the distributed content, the videogenerating unit 142 in the control unit 140 generates video in virtualspace that reflects information on the participant as information on theparticipant's virtual character. In this case, the distribution unit 143in the control unit 140 also transmits information indicatingsynthesized video in virtual space synthesized to the participantterminal 400. However, this information differs from the informationtransmitted to the distributor terminal 200 because it shows video fromthe viewpoint of the participant.

Here, the control unit 140 receives various types of settings from thedistributor terminal 200 via the communication unit 110 (step S104). Thevarious types of settings include a first setting (disclosurerestriction setting) received by the first setting receiving unit 144and a second setting (permission setting) received by the second settingreceiving unit 145.

The control unit 140 determines whether or not there is a disclosurerestriction setting (step S105). When the control unit 140 determinesthat there is no disclosure restriction setting (step S105; N), thecontrol unit 140 distributes live content based on the synthesized videoin virtual space (step S109). In this case, the distribution unit 143 inthe control unit 140 distributes live content to the distributorterminal 200, the viewer terminal 300, and the participant terminal 400based on video in the same virtual space.

When the control unit 140 determines that there is a disclosurerestriction setting (step S105; Y), it restricts the display of livecontent (step S106). The specific method used to restrict disclosure isdescribed in the specific example above.

The control unit 140 also determines whether or not there is apermission setting (step S107). When the control unit 140 determinesthat there is no permission setting (step S107; N), the control unit 140distributes live content based on the synthesized video in virtual space(step S109). In this case, the distribution unit 143 in the control unit140 distributes live content with restrictions applied to the viewerterminal 300 and the participant terminal 400.

When the control unit 140 determines that there is a permission setting(step S107; Y), the control unit 140 releases display restrictions onthe live content for the participant terminal 400 (step S108). In thiscase, the distribution unit 143 in the control unit 140 distributes livecontent based on the synthesized video in virtual space (step S109).

However, the live content with display restrictions applied isdistributed to viewer terminals 300 and participant terminals 400without permission settings. For example, live content with the objectssubject to disclosure restrictions displayed is delivered to aparticipant terminal 400 with permission settings (for example,participant terminal 400 b), and live content with the objects subjectto disclosure restrictions not displayed is delivered to a participantterminal 400 without permission settings (for example, participantterminal 400 a).

<Explanation of Effects>

In the content distribution system 1 according to the presentembodiment, the content distribution server 100 includes a first settingreceiving unit 144 that receives disclosure restriction settings, andthe distributor terminal 200 includes a first setting informationtransmitting unit 285.

In this case, the distributor can set disclosure restrictions forobjects displayed in virtual space. This makes it possible for adistributor to conveniently use an object that the distributor does notwant seen by viewers on the distributor terminal 200 while notdisplaying the object on viewer terminals 300.

In the content distribution system 1 of the present embodiment, thecontent distribution server 100 also includes a second setting receivingunit 145 that receives permission settings, and the distributor terminal200 includes a second setting information transmitting unit 286. In thiscase, the distributor can allow a participant to view an object with adisclosure restriction setting by applying a permission setting to theparticipant terminal 400. In this way, the distributor can restrict thedisclosure based on distribution status.

The description of the embodiment has ended, but this embodiment ismerely an example. Therefore, the specific configuration of the contentdistribution system 1 and the processing details etc. are not limited tothose described in the embodiment. Modified examples of the embodimentwill now be described. The configurational elements in the followingexplanation identical to those in the information content distributionsystem 1 are denoted using the same reference numbers.

MODIFIED EXAMPLES

The order in which control processing is executed by the contentdistribution server 100 is not limited to the example shown in FIG. 10.For example, the processing for displaying pre-distribution video instep S101 may be omitted. The process of receiving various types ofsettings in step S104 may be executed during the distribution of livecontent after step S109, or may be executed before step S102 or stepS103.

In the embodiment, the content distributed by the content distributionserver 100 is modified according to various types of settings. In otherwords, the content display restrictions are executed at the distributionstage. However, the distributed content may be the same for everyone,with the display restrictions applied to the distributed content whenthe video is displayed on the receiving end. When the viewer terminal300 or the participant terminal 400 executes the program and displaysthe content, the display restrictions may be applied based on thevarious settings. For example, modifications can be realized by theviewer terminal 300 or the participant terminal 400 which receiveinformation on various settings from the distributor and performoperations based on this information.

The method used to set disclosure restrictions is not limited to the oneused in the embodiment. For example, the first setting receiving unit144 may receive a setting for displaying a pixelated object in thevirtual space displayed on the distributor terminal 200. Thedistribution unit 143 may be configured so that the area overlapping thepixelated object is displayed on a viewer terminal 300 in a pixelatedstate, and the disclosure restriction setting for the object is set inthe form of a pixelated object.

For example, in FIG. 11, a disk-shaped pixelated object 60 is displayedon the viewer terminal 300. The pixelated object 60 displays theoverlapping area in a pixelated state. While a pixelated object 60 isdisplayed in a pixelated state on the viewer terminal 300, it isdisplayed in a transparent state on the distributor terminal 200 and ona participant terminal 400 with a permission setting.

In this case, the distributor can move the pixelated object 60 or theobject to be concealed so that the object to be concealed overlaps withthe pixelated object 60. The pixelated object 60 may be configured to beaffixed to and to move with the virtual character of the distributor, ormay be configured to move when the distributor performs a predeterminedoperation.

In this way, an object to be pixelated (such as an object 20 indicatinga timekeeper) can be pixelated and displayed on the viewer terminal 300.However, the distributor and a participant with a permission setting areable to view the video with the pixelated object 60 rendered transparentin the area overlapping the pixelated object 60.

The pixelated object 60 does not have to be a disk as shown in FIG. 11.It may be any shape that covers the peripheral area like a container. Inthis case, the pixelated state can be maintained so that the object tobe concealed is held even when the shooting angle of the virtual camerachanges.

In the embodiment, a configuration for restricting the disclosure ofobjects displayed in virtual space at the convenience of the distributorwas described in terms of disclosure restriction settings and permissionsettings. However, in addition to restricting the disclosure of objects,the content distribution server 100 may also be configured to restrictthe disclosure of audio by controlling the distributor terminal 200, theviewer terminal 300, and the participant terminal 400.

For example, the content distribution server 100 may be configured tooutput different audio from the distributor terminal 200, the viewerterminal 300, and the participant terminal 400 based on disclosurerestriction settings and permission settings. For example, thedistributor terminal 200 and a participant terminal 400 with apermission setting may be configured to output a predetermined audio ata predetermined time, and the viewer terminals 300 may be configured tonot output the predetermined audio. The predetermined audio may beprovided as guidance based on the distribution schedule, such as “fiveminutes left” or may present subject matter on a topic to use by thedistributor or the participant.

Control of audio output is not limited to this example. For example, inorder to allow for confidential conversations between distributors andparticipants based on disclosure restrictions and permissions settings,the content distribution server 100 may be configured so that thedistributor terminal 200 and the participant terminal 400 output a voiceconversation, but viewer terminals 300 do not output voice conversation.This audio output control can be realized, for example, by getting thefirst setting receiving unit 144, the second setting receiving unit 145,and the audio output control units 283, 363, and 483 to work together.

In the content distribution system 1 of the embodiment, the distributorterminal 200, the viewer terminal 300, and the participant terminal 400have different configurations so that they can be distinguished fromeach other. However, the components in each of these devices may becombined to form a device that functions as a distributor terminal, aviewer terminal, and a participant terminal.

In the content distribution system 1 according to the embodiment, thevideo generating unit 142 in the content distribution server 100generates video in virtual space in which movement by the distributor issynthesized as movement by a virtual character. However, the contentdistribution server 100 may be configured without a video generatingunit 142.

For example, the distributor terminal 200 may generate the video andtransmit the video data to the content distribution server 100, and thecontent distribution server 100 may distribute live content based on thevideo data acquired from the distributor terminal 200. Also, processingsubstantially similar to the processing performed by the videogenerating unit 142 may be performed by the content distribution server100 working with the distributor terminal 200. In this configuration,the processing burden on the content distribution server 100 can bereduced as compared to when the content distribution server 100generates video in virtual space.

When the distributor terminal 200 is configured to generate the video, aparticipant terminal 400 participating in the distributed contentacquires motion information and character information from theparticipant, generates video that reflects the movements of theparticipant as movements by a virtual character, and sends the video tothe content distribution server 100. The content distribution server 100then transmits the video data to the distributor terminal 200 used bythe main distributor of the distributed content in which the participantis participating. The distributor terminal 200 used by the maindistributor acquires the motion information and character informationfrom the main distributor, generates video in virtual space, andsynthesizes the video with video data from participants acquired fromthe content distribution server 100.

In this way, video data can be generated that shows the main distributortogether with the participants. The distributor terminal 200 of the maindistributor transmits the synthesized video data to the contentdistribution server 100, and the content distribution server distributeslive content based on the video data.

In addition, the participant terminal 400 may transmit characterinformation, motion information, and additional information etc. fromthe participant to the content distribution server 100 without videobeing generated by the participant terminal 400, the contentdistribution server 100 may transmit this information to the distributorterminal 200 used by the main distributor, and the distributor terminal200 may generate video reflecting both motion information from theparticipant and motion information from the main distributor in a singlevirtual space. In this way, video data showing the participant and themain distributor together can be generated, and the content distributionserver 100 can distribute live content based on this video data.

When the distributor terminal 200 generates video, the distributorterminal 200 can transmit disclosure restriction settings and permissionsettings while transmitting the generated video data. In this way, thecontent distribution server 100 can apply restrictions on the display ofthe distribution screen based on this information.

As a result, the content distribution server 100 does not have toinclude a video generating unit 142 to generate video in virtual space,but may simply acquire video in virtual space synthesizing movement bythe distributor (or by a participant) as movement by a virtualcharacter, and distribute live content based on the video.

The content distribution server 100 also does not have to distributevideo data as live content. For example, the distribution unit 143 inthe content distribution server 100 may distribute live content forsynthesizing video in virtual space in which information from thedistributor is used as information for a virtual character. In thiscase, the information required for the synthesis processing isdistributed, and the viewer terminal 300 or participant terminal 400,etc. receiving the information synthesizes (renders) video based ondisclosure restriction settings and permission settings, and displaysthe video.

When the content distribution server 100 distributes video data as livecontent, different live content may be distributed based on disclosurerestriction settings depending on the destination of the distributedcontent. In this case, the viewer terminal 300 or the participantterminal 400 etc. receiving the data, simply displays video based on thereceived data. In other words, the content distribution server 100restricts the display of a virtual character etc. based on thedisclosure restriction setting received during distribution. However,when the content distribution server 100 distributes live content forsynthesizing video, the viewer terminal 300 or the participant terminal400 etc. receiving the live content performs the synthesizing processbased on the received data.

In this case, the content distribution server 100 distributes the samelive content, and processing is executed in the receiving terminal basedon the disclosure restriction settings.

The functions of the content distribution system in the presentdisclosure may also be realized by, for example, a computer executing aprogram instead of devices described above. The program for realizingthe functions of the content distribution system 1 may be stored on acomputer-readable medium such as USB (universal serial bus) memory, aCD-ROM (compact disc-read only memory), a DVD (digital versatile disc),or an HDD (hard disc drive), or may be downloaded to a computer via anetwork.

A preferred embodiment of the present disclosure was described above,but the present disclosure is not limited to this embodiment, and thepresent disclosure encompasses the invention described in the claims andthat which is equivalent. Also, the configurations of the devicesdescribed in the embodiment and modified example can be combined whenappropriate as long as there are no technical contradictions.

KEY TO THE DRAWINGS

-   1: Content distribution system-   100: Content distribution server-   200: Distributor terminal-   300: Viewer terminal-   400: Participant terminal-   141: Information acquiring unit-   142: Video generating unit-   143: Distribution unit-   144: First setting receiving unit-   145: Second setting receiving unit-   281, 361, 481: Content acquiring unit-   282, 362, 482: Display control unit-   283, 363, 483: Audio output control unit-   284, 484: Inputted information transmitting unit-   285: First setting information transmitting unit-   286: Second setting information transmitting unit

1. A content distribution server comprising: a distribution unitconfigured to distributes live content for synthesizing video in virtualspace with information on the distributor as information on a virtualcharacter; and a first setting receiving unit configured to receives adisclosure restriction setting from a distributor terminal used by thedistributor for restricting an object present in the virtual spacedisplayed on a distributor terminal from being displayed on a viewerterminal used by a viewer viewing the live content, wherein thedistribution unit receives an object from the virtual space from thedistribution terminal used by a distributor and transmits the object tothe viewer terminal to be displayed, wherein virtual space displayed onthe distributor terminal includes a part of an area that is dedicated tothe first setting receiving unit, and wherein a private area setting foran undisplayed area on the viewer terminal is received from thedistributor, and a public restriction setting for the object isperformed via the undisplayed area.
 2. A content distribution serveraccording to claim 1, further comprising: a second setting receivingunit that receives a permission setting from the distributor terminalfor displaying the object subject to the disclosure restriction settingon a participant terminal used by a participant participating indistribution content from the distributor, wherein the object subject tothe disclosure restriction setting is displayed on a participantterminal receiving a permission setting from the distributor terminal,and the object subject to the disclosure restriction setting is notdisplayed on a participant terminal not receiving a permission settingfrom the distributor terminal.
 3. A content distribution serveraccording to claim 1, wherein the first setting receiving unit receivesa switching setting for the object indicating whether or not to displaythe object on the viewer terminal, and receives the switching setting asthe disclosure restriction setting.
 4. A content distribution serveraccording to claim 1, wherein the first setting receiving unit receivesa display changing setting for the object to display the object asanother object or to display the object in a blurred state on the viewerterminal, and receives the display changing setting as the disclosurerestriction setting.
 5. A content distribution server according to claim1, wherein the first setting receiving unit receives a setting forsetting aside an area in the virtual space displayed on the distributorterminal as a private area that is not displayed on a viewer terminal,and establishes a public restriction setting for the object via theprivate area.
 6. A content distribution server according to claim 1,wherein the first setting receiving unit receives a setting fordisplaying a pixelated object in the virtual space displayed on thedistributor terminal, display the area overlapping with the pixelatedobject in a pixelated state on a viewer terminal, and establishes apublic restriction setting for the object via the pixelated object.
 7. Acontent distribution server according to claim 1, wherein the objectsubject to the disclosure restriction setting is an object indicating ascript, a timekeeper, a virtual camera, or the position of a virtualcamera.
 8. A content distribution server according to claim 1, whereinthe object present in virtual space displayed on the distributorterminal is assigned a marker indicating whether or not the object issubject to a disclosure restriction setting.
 9. A content distributionmethod comprising: distributing live content for synthesizing video invirtual space with information on the distributor as information on avirtual character and an object existing in the virtual space displayedon a viewer terminal received from a distributor terminal used by adistributor; receiving a disclosure restriction setting from thedistributor terminal used by the distributor for restricting an objectpresent in the virtual space displayed on the distributor terminal frombeing displayed on a viewer terminal used by a viewer viewing the livecontent; receiving from a distributor a setting that a part of an areain the virtual space displayed on the distributor terminal is a privatearea not displayed on the viewer terminal; and performing the disclosurerestriction setting for the object via the private area.
 10. A programcontained on a non-volatile memory coupled to a processor configured tocause a computer to function as a distribution means for distributinglive content for synthesizing video in virtual space with information onthe distributor as information on a virtual character and an objectpresent in the virtual space displayed on a viewer terminal from adistributor terminal used by the distributor; a first setting receivingmeans for receiving a disclosure restriction setting from a distributorterminal used by the distributor for restricting an object present inthe virtual space displayed on the distributor terminal from beingdisplayed on a viewer terminal used by a viewer viewing the livecontent; a means for receiving, from the distributor, a setting that apart of an area in the virtual space displayed on the distributorterminal is a private area that is not displayed on the viewer terminal;and wherein the disclosure restriction setting for the object isperformed via the private area.